The Impact of Implementing an Exergame Program on the Level of Reaction Time Optimization in Handball, Volleyball, and Basketball Players

Dana Badau, Adela Badau, Carmen Ene-Voiculescu, Alin Larion, Virgil Ene-Voiculescu, Ion Mihaila, Julien Leonard Fleancu, Virgil Tudor, Corina Tifrea, Adrian Sebastian Cotovanu and Alexandru Abramiuc
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Dana Badau: Petru Maior Faculty of Sciences and Letters, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
Adela Badau: Petru Maior Faculty of Sciences and Letters, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
Carmen Ene-Voiculescu: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Ovidius University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Alin Larion: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Ovidius University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania
Virgil Ene-Voiculescu: Mircea cel Batran Naval Academy, Naval Tactics and Armament Department, 900218 Constanta, Romania
Ion Mihaila: Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics, University of Pitesti, 110040 Pitesti, Romania
Julien Leonard Fleancu: Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics, University of Pitesti, 110040 Pitesti, Romania
Virgil Tudor: Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, National University of Physical Education and Sports, 060057 Bucharest, Romania
Corina Tifrea: Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, National University of Physical Education and Sports, 060057 Bucharest, Romania
Adrian Sebastian Cotovanu: Faculty of Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
Alexandru Abramiuc: Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Ovidius University of Constanta, 900470 Constanta, Romania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-11

Abstract: The main aim of the present study was to implement an exergame program that uses Fitlight technology to identify the impact on motor, recognition, and cognitive reaction times in junior athletes practicing team sports: basketball, handball, and volleyball. The second aim was to identifying differences in progress of the three types of reaction time between female and male players through computerized tests. The study included 360 subjects for basketball, 130 athletes of which were 68 male subjects and 62 female subjects; for handball, 124 athletes of which 64 were male subjects and 60 female athletes; for volleyball, 106 athletes of which 48 male were subjects and 48 female athletes. Characteristics of the experimental players: average age ± SD 13.60 ± 1.07; average sports experience ± SD 6.24 ± 0.92. The research included an initial and a final test between which a program of exergames was implemented over a period of 3 months focused on optimizing human reaction times. The evaluation of the reaction times was carried out through three computer games, the results being processed in SPSS 22. The relevant results of the research: for the simple motor reaction time (MSRT), the greatest progress between tests was the volleyball group, and for women, it was the basketball group; for the recognition reaction time (RRT), the male handball group and the female basketball group recorded the greatest progress; for the cognitive reactive time (CRT), the greatest progress was achieved by the male and female volleyball players. In all tests, the progress of the female basketball, handball, and volleyball players showed superior progress to similar male players. The results of the research highlighted the effectiveness of the experimental exergame program by using Fitlight technology in optimizing human reaction times in junior team-game athletes. Using computer games to evaluate reaction times allowed us to differentiate the evaluation on the types of human reactions under both standardized conditions but also under conditions of efficiency and attractiveness.

Keywords: human reaction times; exergames; simple motor reactions; recognition reactions; cognitive reactions; sports games; handball; basketball; volleyball (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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